Haberdashers’ Hatcham Free School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The headteacher's outstanding leadership has enabled the school to develop an excellent identity within the local community. Parents greatly appreciate the superb start to schooling that the school provides. The highly effective systems and structures that the school has quickly established are a direct result of the leadership and support provided by the parent school Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College.

There is excellent support for pupils with special educational needs as well as very strong procedures for the professional development of staff. In addition, shared administrative procedures are highly effective and efficient.... Pupils enter the school with starting points which are in line with those typically found.

Validated outcomes and school data show that, during Reception and Year 1, pupils make excellent progress. Pupils at the school achieve much higher outcomes than those found nationally in Reception and in Year 1. These outstanding outcomes are the result of very effective monitoring and assessment of pupils' progress, together with excellent teaching to meet specific and continuing needs.

Much of the teaching is typically outstanding and never less than consistently good. Pupils enjoy their learning because teachers plan activities which are imaginative and challenging. Learning support assistants provide excellent support.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable. In lessons pupils are engrossed in their learning activities. They are extremely sensible when moving around the site where the school is currently based.

The school is a very safe environment. The curriculum is outstanding. Very effective planning has developed rich programmes of work with a focus on core skills enhanced by engaging activities.

As a result, pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Pupils are developing an excellent understanding of life in modern Britain. Provision for pupils to learn German is excellent.

Governors are knowledgeable about the work of the school, with an excellent focus on pupils' achievement in core subjects. They use the comprehensive data on pupils' achievement to challenge school leaders very effectively. Children in the Reception get off to an excellent start.

This is due to the very strong teaching and highly effective communication with parents. Although the school's website contains all the required information, it is difficult to access and use. The website is currently being reviewed.

Information about this school

This school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The school opened as a free school in September 2013. Currently it has Reception and Year 1 classes and is growing year on year until it has the full primary age range.

There are two classes in each year group. Provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage is full-time. The school is currently housed in temporary accommodation on the upper school site of Hatcham College.

There are strong links with the college, which is an all-through primary and secondary school based on three sites. A new building for the free school is under construction on the same school site as the current accommodation and this is expected to be completed in time for occupation in September 2015. Records show that the proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is lower than the national average.

Similarly, the proportion of pupils who have a first language other than English is also lower than average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils who are eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for looked after children and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is less than a third of the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average, as is the proportion of pupils with greater learning needs supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs.

The school does not use alternative provision for pupils. The current headteacher is to retire at the end of the summer term and a new headteacher has been appointed and will take up the post in September. The school is part of the Haberdashers' Aske's Federation of secondary and primary schools.

The headteacher is line managed by the Executive Principal of Hatcham College. The school uses a number of the college's services including human resources, finance and administrative functions. In addition, there are formal links between the school and the college regarding support for pupils with special educational needs, safeguarding and training for staff.

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